Small community in Seoul tries to live at one with nature

Channel NewsAsia 17 Jun 08;

SEOUL: Some Koreans concerned about the environment are trying their best to live at one with nature.

Kim Soo Ji, a 12-year-old at Sung Mi San School, said being outside the classrooms and being able to see the things she learnt in textbooks are the fun parts of studying at her school, which was set up by local residents.

"I am now much more closer to nature. This garden on this roof top was made when I was in grade 4. Now that I am in grade 6, I see this garden as my friend. I really like it," she said.

In this small area in the northern part of Seoul, several mothers gathered in 1994 to bring up their children here - allowing them to learn more about nature and themselves.

Teacher Shin Hyang Chul said: "I hope that students could learn the diversity of biology from this class, diversity in the ecosystem. Our school doesn't use the word 'environment', instead... we use the word 'ecology'."

"We want to be more careful about the word 'environment' - which contains a human dominant concept about the nature. While students are getting to know about all kinds of life through this class, they can become a friend with nature," the teacher continued.

Setting up the school is only one of the many things Sung Mi San residents have done to make the area eco-friendly.

Using organic ingredients, food here is made by local residents.

Kim Hyun Joo, a resident, said: "Right now everyone is talking about mad cow disease. But we have been in this cooperative lifestyle for a long time now. Our children and our family are healthy because they eat these kinds of (organic, home-grown, home-made) food. And because we eat these (kinds of) food, we are also helping the environment and that is a great pride for us."

The residents are not stopping here. They have also started a car-sharing system; and instead of driving cars, cycling is being promoted.

Local residents in this community here practice traditional cooperative lifestyle - called Dooreh - educating their children together, buying food together, and even farming together. - CNA/ac